A History of the Club
A History of the Club
A History of the Club
The Ravenshead and District Photographic Club traces its origins to the 1970s, when it first met at the Fountaindale School—now the Fountaindale Physical Disability Specialist Service—on Nottingham Road at Harlow Wood. During its early years, the club offered a wide range of activities, including internal competitions and an annual inter‑club contest with the Southwell Camera Club, fondly known as the “Shutter Buggs,” which was always followed by a memorable tea.
Towards the late 1990s, rising film costs and the loss of access to the school following its closure led to the gradual decline of the club. Ultimately, the remaining members joined the Shutter Buggs in Southwell, marking the end of the original Ravenshead Camera Club. Among those who transitioned to the Southwell club were two long-standing members, Dennis Harvey and Malcolm Yates, who remained active participants until the Shutter Buggs disbanded in 2020.
In 2012, Dennis established a photographic group under the U3A, joined shortly afterward by Glynne Payze, who volunteered his support and brought with him extensive experience as a semi-professional photographer.
In May 2019, seeking to broaden the group’s appeal and operate free from the procedural constraints of the U3A, Dennis, Glynne, and the membership agreed to form an independent organisation—the Ravenshead & District Photographic Club as it exists today. Since then, the club has flourished, attracting members from a wide geographic area and across a broader age range. Membership has nearly doubled since its founding.
Dennis began his photographic career in the RAF and went on to achieve six City & Guilds qualifications in Photography—all at Distinction level. He also earned the designation LRPS (Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society). Over more than six decades, he built an impressive body of work as both an amateur and semi‑professional photographer.
Glynne bought his first camera at the age of eleven, and his passion for photography continued to grow as he learned to develop and print his own work. During his teaching career, he shared his enthusiasm with younger generations by running school photography clubs. After retiring from teaching, he turned his lifelong interest into a second career, running his own photography and video business for ten years. As a semi‑professional photographer, he developed a broad expertise in digital editing.
Together, Dennis and Glynne coordinated the club, bringing with them extensive knowledge across many branches of photography and strong technical understanding of both film and digital equipment—from traditional film cameras to modern DSLRs, bridge cameras, and compact systems. In 2023, Glynne further advanced his practice by adopting a state‑of‑the‑art mirrorless camera, enhancing his capabilities particularly in wildlife photography.
Due to declining health, Dennis stepped down from his coordinating role in early 2023, having dedicated eleven years to nurturing the group, welcoming new members, and generously sharing his expertise. Sadly, Dennis passed away on 18 October 2023, and he is greatly missed for his thoughtful and knowledgeable contributions.
In August 2025, Glynne announced his intention to step down from the coordinator role at the end of the year. After thirteen years of co‑leading and then leading the club, and now in his 78th year, he felt it was the right time to pass the responsibility to the next generation. Fortunately, three enthusiastic members stepped forward and have taken over the leadership of the Ravenshead & District Photographic Club now that Glynne has retired.